Untitled
1977
oil
From the collection of Museum of Modern Art
Untitled is a 1977 oil by Malcolm Morley, a photorealism work, held at Museum of Modern Art.
This painting looks like a chaotic cityscape made of clashing colors and layers. Buildings, cars, and people are smashed together with bold brushstrokes—some thick, some scraped away. A yellow phone book labeled "Los Angeles Yellowpages" sits in the top left, and a small photo of a boat floats above it. The colors are bright but messy, with orange, blue, and black clashing in a frenzy. The thick, textured paint suggests the artist built up the surface with heavy strokes. This technique is called *impasto*, where paint is laid on so thick it almost stands out in 3D. Look up impasto to see how artists use it to add drama to their work.
